Most folks like their barbecue a certain way ---- sweet, spicy,
sauced or seasoned ---- and when they find it, they stick with a
favorite. So this year's list has most of the same winners with a
few notable exceptions.

Phil's BBQ has soared to the top of the rankings since it opened
its first North County location in San Marcos last fall. Phil's is
best known for its fall-off-the-bone baby back ribs, beer-battered
onion rings and sweet baked beans.

Another newcomer that made the list quickly is Mike's BBQ, which
opened in June in Escondido's Staples shopping center. Owner Steve
Olson cooks all of his meat on a mesquite wood-fired grill and
entertains his customers with 14 big-screen TVs at the
restaurant/sports bar.

Returning for its second year on the list is Oceanside's Enzo's
BBQ. Small in size but big on flavor, the restaurant specializes in
St. Louis-style short ribs, Texas-smoked brisket.

Fat Ivor's Rib Rack has a long tradition in Valley Center.
Opened in the early 1980s by Ivor "Tommy" Thomas and his wife,
Georgine, the restaurant closed in 2003 after a double-whammy ----
Tommy's death on Christmas Day 2002 and a fire that burned the
restaurant to the ground a few months later. Fat Ivor's reopened in
2007 with the same menu.

Sweet Lumpy's in Old Town Temecula uses secret family recipes
that owner John Syroka brought with him from his native Ohio,
including the signature sauce ---- created by Syroka's older
brother, Jim (whose childhood nickname was "Sweet Lumpy"). Syroka
describes the barbecue as "Kansas City-style," with all meats and
poultry smoked long enough to ensure that every bite falls off the
bone.

Lucille's Smokehouse BBQ in Temecula was founded by Lucille
Buchanan and based on her grandmother's recipes. Lucille's
specializes in hickory-smoked, spice-rubbed barbecue.

Minneapolis-based Famous Dave's, with one location in Vista, has
won nearly 300 awards for its barbecue over the past 16 years.

And if your favorite barbecue chef is yourself, check out
T&H Prime Meats and Sausage in San Marcos, which made the list
for its barbecue-worthy ribs, briskets and tri-tips.